purge

Definition of purge

purged

purging

transitive verb

1a: to clear of guiltb: to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

2a: to cause evacuation from (as the bowels)b(1): to make free of something unwanted <purge a manhole of gas><purge yourself of fear>(2): to free (as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleedingc(1): to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge (2): to get rid of <the leaders had been purged>

intransitive verb

purger

Examples of purge in a sentence

High-ranking officials were purged from the company following the merger.

<a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting>

Did You Know?

In some cultures, a ritual bath or prayer is performed to purge guilt or evil spirits. The Minoans of ancient Crete may have used human sacrifice as a way of purging the entire community, which is fine for the community but rough on the victims. In many cultures, people periodically purge themselves physically—that is, clean out their digestive tracts—by taking strong laxatives; this used to be a popular springtime ritual, and herbal purgatives were readily available.